German company Quantum Systems, unmanned system manufacturer, received first contract for supplying its newest anti-drone interceptors called Skyron-400 — this sample's creation first became known last autumn, it was developed under Jäger codename, and essentially this involves anti-aircraft drone with rocket booster. As of that time it was at advanced flight testing stage.
Hartpunkt reports this. Known is company should supply unnamed quantity of Skyron-400 interceptor drones worth €30 million — Quantum Systems flatly refused to disclose who exactly is customer for this weaponry.
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Defense Express notes that since Quantum Systems has closely cooperated with Ukraine for several years, not excluded Ukraine's Defense Forces may become first customer for this weaponry. Although quite probable variant is that Skyron-400 was ordered by some other country, while drones themselves underwent testing including in Ukraine. In any case, this is quite widespread practice for defense companies not to disclose their product customers.
Rocket booster enables this interceptor drone to quite quickly gain necessary altitude — critically important for aerial target interception, especially involving jet drones like Shaheds/Gerans, which have greater speeds.
Additionally, thanks to rocket booster, battery charge can be saved, so interceptor can remain airborne longer and accordingly have more opportunities for aerial target interception.
Regarding other Skyron-400 interceptor tactical-technical characteristics, its cruise speed is 200 km/h, while maximum is 380 km/h — as of today this may be sufficient for intercepting larger jet drone quantity, especially considering they usually do not reach maximum speed throughout entire flight.
Drone mass itself is up to 4.5 kg, of which up to 1.2 kg is payload. With rocket booster it increases to 8.5 kg.
Most important is Skyron-400 can climb to significant altitude — 5,000 m, which may be advantage compared to other samples having more modest characteristics, and important for intercepting long-range strike drones. Interceptor has flight time up to 20 minutes and range up to 50 km.
Skyron-400 has high autonomy level, overall drone interception should be conducted with minimal operator participation, and if for various reasons it cannot engage enemy drone, it can safely return back. Interceptor is integrated into MOSAIC UxS control system, which can unite various unmanned platform types into single network.
Interesting is possible Skyron-400 drone cost, as today this indicator is quite important for assessing such interceptors, as this involves need specifically for economically affordable means for combating relatively inexpensive long-range strike drones.
Previously Defense Express reported Quantum Systems accelerated UAV to record 699 km/h and plans to adapt this solution in anti-aircraft drones.
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